| Abstrakt: |
Until recently, peripheral neuropathy (PN) has been a relatively uncommon side effect of cisplatin therapy. However, with the administration of high-dose cisplatin (DDP) (40 mg/m2daily X 5 days), PN symptoms have emerged as a dose-limiting toxicity. Aaronson's et al. assessment of quality of life (QOL) and Diener's concept of subjective well-being (SWB) were used as a framework for this study. The following questions were examined: What is the effect of PN on QOL and SWB? Do PN symptoms from cisplatin decrease with time? What independent variables most predict variability in PN symptoms? Three tools were used: Diener's et al. (11) satisfaction with life scale (SWLS), Aaronson's et al. QOL questionnaire, and eight items assessing PN symptoms, which were developed by the researchers for this study. Patient data were obtained by phone and personal interviews. All patients (n = 30) were free of cancer, and had received more than 720 mg of DDP for testicular and ovarian cancer. Most had completed treatment more than 1 year ago; mean age, 33 years. Results show that PN symptoms are significantly correlated (p < 0.05, Pearson's correlation coefficient) with increase in fatigue, malaise, and psychological distress and with decrease in sense of well-being, satisfaction with life, activities of daily living, and ability to work. Time from end of treatment correlated negatively (r = −0.48, p < 0.05) with PN symptoms, suggesting a decrease in PN symptoms over time. By using stepwise regression analysis, only age, among the selected variables, predicted variability of PN symptoms (r2= 0.29, p < 0.01). The study lends direction for nursing education, practice, and research. |
